Gluteus minimus
Musculus gluteus minimus
MuscularDeep musclesPelvisLeft and right
View left in 3D View right in 3D
- What it is
- Smallest and deepest gluteal muscle, a fan beneath gluteus medius from the outer ilium between the anterior and inferior gluteal lines to the anterior surface of the greater trochanter.
- Function
- Abducts and medially rotates the hip and helps keep the pelvis level while walking.
- Size
- About 10 cm wide at its origin, 1 cm thick.
- Clinical note
- Tendinopathy or tears of the gluteus minimus and medius tendons ("rotator cuff of the hip") are a major cause of greater trochanteric pain syndrome.